When I Passed the Statue of Liberty I Became Black: The Lost Memoir of Britain's First Black Olympic Medal Winner and the America He Discovered

Inspired by a quest to reveal the lives of Olympic 100-meter medalists, editor Neil Duncanson compiled the unpublished memoir of Black British sprinter Harry Edward for contemporary audiences. Edward solidified his status as one of the greatest sprinters of the era when he won bronze medals in the 100- and 200-meter sprints at the 1920 Antwerp Olympic games. Written prior to Edward's passing in 1973, When I Passed the Statue of Liberty I Became Black recounts over seventy years of Edward's life, including his athletic, professional, and personal accomplishments and tragedies.In a brief introduction, Duncanson describes the process of uncovering Edward's writing in the archives of the Amistad Research Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. Edward's words appear largely unedited, though Duncanson notes changes to the American spelling of words and some additions from early versions of Edward's drafts. Duncanson also includes sixty black-and-white images from the Amistad Research Center, which illustrate Edward's experiences. Nearly one-third of the images are related to Edward's athletic career. An appendix of Edward's racing career from 1912 through his final race in 1924 is a welcome addition to portray the young athlete's prolific successes.Despite the inclusion of supporting materials illuminating Edward's athletic accomplishments, his memoir is not a typical sport autobiography. Instead, Edward's thoughts read as a philosophical treatise on the state of international politics throughout the twentieth century. The text's concluding line restates his hope that the work may “contribute in some constructive ways to urgently needed reforms and changes” (261).Athletics and the camaraderie of international competition at the Olympics were a foundational vehicle for Edward's intellectual development. In this way, Edward supports the notion that sport facilitates an equal playing field for individuals to build relationships across racial and economic lines. This is particularly evident during Edward's time as a prisoner of war from early 1915 until late 1918. As a British subject living in Germany, Edward became ensnared by the specter of World War I and was sent to Ruhleben Interment Camp. British subjects found common interest through sport, of which Edward offers some brief descriptions. This period of his life is described in detail and explains Edward's drive toward humanitarian work that dominates the remaining sections of the memoir.Historians of sport may be disappointed as Edward's focus shifts away from the track. However, he still offers a detailed firsthand account of his participation in Antwerp and the 1922 Amateur Athletic Association championships where he won the 100-, 220-, and 440-yard sprints. Edward's description of these events adds a valuable athlete perspective on the administration of the Olympics. Edward, who finished third, but certainly had the ability to win the event, considered filing an official petition after a confusing start, but was discouraged by his coaches and managers. This section is further enhanced by Duncanson's inclusion of photographs, such as a photo of Edward shaking hands with King George V. Edward reinforces his belief that his participation in the Olympics “and their potentialities left a strong impression with me and influenced the course of my life,” but there is a missed opportunity for the author to interrogate the role of sport in society broadly (81).As Edward transitioned to life in the United States, he became more interested in reflecting on the pervasive racism that permeated American society, its impact on his employment, and his contributions to local and global communities. Indeed, despite competing in New York and Boston in 1923 and 1924, Edward offers only a few sparse sentences describing his experiences racing in the United States. Instead, Edward describes his experience as a Black man in the United States. His descriptions of the interwar years present Edward as a leader working to overcome the overwhelming prevalence of racism in society. He describes his role in challenging the Paulsboro, New Jersey, board of education's desire to segregate public schools in 1930, which cost him his job. He then describes his role working with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People with W. E. B. DuBois and his work with the Federal Theater Project in Harlem and his contributions to the Harlem Renaissance. His subsequent descriptions of his humanitarian aid in Greece, Germany, and Vietnam during the 1940s and 1950s offer additional firsthand accounts of the challenges of managing relief efforts to areas affected by unstable international politics. In these sections, Edward reiterates his support for social, political, and economic reforms, though he offers few concrete solutions beyond support for increased economic alignment of the European continent.Edward seems to hope a retelling of his life and experiences may inspire readers to recognize the struggles and challenges facing the world and work to generate effective change. While some of the themes, including the fallout of international conflict and racial discrimination remain pertinent, Edward wrote for an audience in the 1970s. He was unable to see beyond the Cold War era, the Civil Rights Act in the United States, and the establishment of the European Union. The absence of any consideration for the direction and development of international sport is also striking. Although the 1960s represent a relatively small chapter of his life, Edward offers no observations or opinions of the turmoil and revolts of Black American athletes during this time. Nevertheless, the book remains a valuable primary source documenting the experience of a Black British Olympic sprinter living in the United States. Yet without additional context, Duncanson leaves the reader with questions about the legacy of Britain's first Black Olympic medal winner.